Since 1910, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History has inspired curiosity and learning about the natural world and our place in it.

Notable Collections

11/23/2012

Observing dental and skull structure under a microscope to identify an unknown specimen. Image courtesy of Tho Tran.

By Tho Tran, YES! 2012 Intern

Where are you from and what brings you to the Museum?

My name is Tho Tran, and I am a rising sophomore from Annandale High School in Virginia. I love biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and mathematics with a great passion and want to dedicate my years of college to these subjects. I also like drawing, practicing martial arts, reading, writing, composing poems, and doing outdoor activities, such as riding a bike. As a realistic optimist, I always endeavor to improve myself and my community. I believe that everyone can make a difference in the society if he or she tries. With a love for science and math, and this realistic optimism, I became interested in having an internship at NMNH.

How did you get “Behind those Doors?”

After completing and submitting the application available on the website, it was a great pleasure and honor to get accepted to the Youth Engagement through Science! (YES!) Program for 2012. The experience I gained from this program is incomparable and valuable. YES! is composed of two parts: the six-week internship at NMNH in the summer and college preparation sessions in the fall. The six-week internship is organized into project days and learning days so interns experience work with mentors and scientists, field trips, and presentations about STEM careers. YES! introduces interns to the real-life aspects of scientific research, helps the them explore career options, and provides them with an in-depth look at college by allowing them to ask college students questions. The fall component then focuses on college preparation including resume writing, admissions essay writing, college visits, and more.

What are you doing back there, behind those doors?”

Cataloging ready specimens. Image courtesy of Tho Tran.

I assisted with the organization of mammal skins and skulls from the Walter Bulmer collection. The skins and skulls are classified into common groups like mice, bats, shrews, voles, etc. Using the field notes that the collector wrote, I matched up the skins with the proper skulls. Once the specimens were matched up, they were ready to be cataloged.

I also helped my mentor, Suzanne Peurach with other aspects of caring for this collection including preparing large and small specimens, cataloging, numbering bones, labeling skulls, and installing specimens.

Through this project, I learned how to identify skulls by observing the dental structure, and skull characteristics. For example, clues to the diet of Noctilio leoporinus(also known as the Great Bulldog Bat) can be found by looking at the sagittal crest, which tells us in this case that is probably a carnivore. I also found out that there are other clues such as hair identification and DNA that can help to identify unknown specimens.

In addition to these aspects of my work on the Walter Bulmer collection, I was taught how to prepare mammal specimens and had the opportunity to study internal anatomy of small desert rodents called jirds; learning about their muscles, tendons and bones while preparing the skeletons for cleaning.

What’s been the most amazing or unexpected thing you’ve seen, experienced or discovered while being part of the NMNH academic community?

It's too hard to pick just one thing! First, throughout the six- week internship, I discovered my weakness, which was that I tended to make simple things more convoluted and especially so with science experiments. I thought that science projects must be complex and intricate. However, after seeing my mentor and other interns' projects, I realized that one simple idea can lead to a simple project or experiment that can change the world.

Second, while on a tour of the Lab of Analytical Biology, which was then at the Museum Support Center, I found out that I really love genetics. The tour was an awesome experience and, with my prior knowledge from biology I learned in school, I felt really engaged and interested. I now know that I want to study genetics and molecular biology in college along with mathematics and biochemistry. I know that sounds ambitious, but it's possible!

Finally, I enjoyed honing my late-to-blossom public speaking skills. As long as I know what I am talking about, I now feel comfortable talking in front of a group of people. For example, I was confident when I helped my mentor give a tour of the mammal collections, and I felt excited and happy to share my knowledge with others.

09/13/2012

Where are you from and what brings you to the museum?

I come from Biddeford, Maine, where I studied Marine Biology
and English at the University of New England. I became completely absorbed by
the possibilities of new discoveries and studies in the scientific world, and I
wanted to share my enthusiasm with the public. I knew the Smithsonian’s
National Museum of Natural History was renowned for its public outreach, but I
wanted to work behind the scenes, where determination to highlight the work of the
museum’s scientists has become a key focus. I was able to produce press releases,
observe reactions to exhibition openings and announcements, and work with
reporters from BBC Radio, The Washington Post, National Geographic and DK
Travel. I have gained more experience and opportunities at the national museum
than I could have ever imagined!

How did you get “behind those doors”?

I wanted to work on science writing, and began researching
for internships in the fall of last year. There were many places to choose from,
but I knew the Smithsonian was where I wanted to be. I searched the Institution’s
internship page until I found the Science Writing Internship in the Public
Affairs Office. After talking with Kelly Carnes, I knew this internship would
meet my expectations, and much, much more! Before I knew it, I was driving from
the bitter winters of Maine, to the warm atmosphere at the Smithsonian!

What is it you’re doing, behind those doors?

Within the first few weeks of my internship, I was able to
accompany Kelly on a film shoot with the Smithsonian Channel. I met world
renowned scientists such as Dr. Jeffrey Post,
Dr. Hans-Dieter
Sues, and Bruno Frohlich.
I got the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the Hope Diamond
and even get my picture taken next to this one-of-a-kind-gemstone! I saw a
fossilized dinosaur egg and its CT scans, and numerous casts and fossils of different
types of dinosaurs. And my experiences only began there! I’ve accompanied the
Smithsonian Magazine to the Terry Collection at the Museum Support Center, our
storage facility in Suitland, Maryland. I’ve worked with the Washington Post
who photographed the Hope Diamond, a cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, and Titanoboa. I have had the opportunity to see several collections throughout the museum, including birds, mammals, and different types of archeological objects. I even had the chance to see the Smithsonian’s famed crystal skull, and learn the true story behind the legendary artifact from Smithsonian anthropologist, Dr. Jane Walsh! I watched as Titanoboa, the colossal snake from a prehistoric era, was put
together piece by piece, and met the scientists behind the discovery at the
exhibition’s opening. I never thought I’d be so involved in the relationship
between the Smithsonian and the press!

Although escorting reporters and photographers around the
museum demanded the majority of my time and attention, I had plenty to do back
at the office. Reporters, students, parents, and many others are constantly
calling for information. Whether the question includes the museum’s hours,
collection inquires, or who the expert is on an up and coming topic, the Public
Affairs Office gets the phone call first!

What’s been the most amazing or unexpected thing you’ve seen, experienced or
discovered while being part of the NMNH academic community?

The Smithsonian houses such vast collections, and so many experts, that many people forget that the museum also functions as a research center, as well as an
education center for the public. I had the opportunity to learn just a limited
amount about the vast exploration and research our scientists do at the
Smithsonian. It’s hard to imagine that sometimes their fascinating discoveries
go unnoticed by the general public, which is why we’re always interested in
improving our communications and outreach efforts! While interning at the
Smithsonian, I witnesses some truly groundbreaking events: Titanoboa: Monster
snake, featuring the largest snake ever known to roam the Earth, the story of
the origin of the first Americans, and the announcement of the museum’s new
director are only a few. It’s hard to believe that the Smithsonian could be
known for anything but being a portal for discovery.

03/31/2012

After a fast and furious Museum Madness: Round 2, the results are here! Did your favorites make it to Round 3? Were you surprised by any of the new information you learned?

Highlights:

The Giant Squid and the Fenykovi Elephant exited the tournament in Round 2 with losses to Titanoboa and Phoenix. It was neck and neck with the Handaxe Made by Early Humans and the Wood Collection, until the Wood Collection pulled ahead by a single vote!

So who's still in the running after Round 2?

In the Backbones Division we have ...

Phoenix, the North Atlantic Right Whale

Coelacanth

In the Classics Division we have ...

Basilosaurus

Tasmanian Tiger

In the Exhibit All-Stars Division we have ...

Bull Mummy

Titanoboa

In the Wild Cards Division we have ...

Deep-Sea Vent Worms

Wood Collection

Who are you pulling for in Round 3? Voting will open soon, and we'll need your help to narrow the field from 8 to 4!

03/27/2012

You, the fans of NMNH, have spoken and the results of Museum Madness: Round 1 are in! Read on for highlights and find out if your favorites made it to Round 2.

Highlights:

Round 1 got off to a great start with a landslide win by the Megalodon Jaws over the T-Rex. The perennial favorite Fenykovi Elephant then triumphed over the Roosevelt Rhinos, and Martha the Passenger Pigeon handily beat Snarge. The surprise of this round came at the end when the Hope Diamond suffered a narrow loss to the Bull Mummy.

So who's left standing after Round 1?

In the Backbones Division we have ...

Fenykovi Elephant

Martha the Passenger Pigeon

Phoenix, the North Atlantic Right Whale

Coelacanth

In the Classics Division we have ...

Basilosaurus

Tasmanian Tiger

Megalodon Jaws

Neanderthal from Shanidar

In the Exhibit All-Stars Division we have ...

Monarch Butterfly

Bull Mummy

Titanoboa

Giant Squid

In the Wild Cards Division we have ...

Allende Meteorite

Deep-Sea Vent Worms

Handaxe Made by Early Humans

Wood Collection

Did your favorites make it through? If not, who will you root for in Round 2? Let us know and get ready for more voting tomorrow, March 28th!

03/19/2012

Not a basketball fan? Feeling left out of the March Madness fun? Wishing there was a bracket that incorporated your interests in birds, mammals, insects, fishes, and more?

We have the solution for you! It’s called ...

Museum Madness is our version of the basketball tournament - with a twist. Instead of teams competing, we have objects vying for your interest. Would you like to learn more about our iconic elephant or a species of fish thought to have died out with the dinosaurs? Over the next two weeks, you decide what will advance through the rounds and reign victorious.

So who are the contenders?

In the Backbones Division we have ...

Fenykovi Elephant

Martha the Passenger Pigeon

Snarge

Roosevelt Rhinos

Phoenix, the North Atlantic Right Whale

X-ray of a Seahorse

Coelacanth

Great White Shark

In the Classics Division we have ...

Basilosaurus

Burgess Shale Fossils

Tasmanian Tiger

T-Rex

Megalodon Jaws

Neanderthal from Shanidar

Lucy, Our Early Human Ancestor (reconstruction)

Turtle Skeleton

In the Exhibit All-Stars Division we have ...

Hope Diamond

Easter Island Stone Figure

Monarch Butterfly

Bull Mummy

Tarantula

Titanoboa

Korean Bridal Gown

Giant Squid

In the Wild Cards Division we have ...

Allende Meteorite

Smithsonite

Deep-Sea Vent Worms

Handaxe Made by Early Humans

Wood Collection

Scarab Beetle

Invertebrates from the Gulf of Mexico

Modern Human Art and Music

How do you vote and follow the action?

Starting Tuesday, March 20th, keep an eye open where you follow us - Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest - for links to the voting pages.

11/23/2010

It’s a story that spans four countries, over a billion years of geologic time and 350 years of human history. Fascinating science. A legendary curse. But probably the most memorable moment in the making of Smithsonian Channel’s “Mystery of the Hope Diamond” was the Great Dane.

In real life his name was Mike, and he belonged to the dazzling Washington socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean. In the Roaring Twenties, Evalyn was renowned for staging elaborate parties in her mansion, and occasionally even President Warren G. Harding would attend. For kicks – and no doubt to make an impression -- she had a special collar designed for Mike so he could wear the Hope Diamond. Escorting Evalyn with imperial grace, he’d strut through the crowd wearing the world’s most famous gemstone as if it were a mere dogtag.

To recreate the scene, our production team took over a mansion in the business district of London. After scouring through dozens of head shots and enduring a few eventful screen tests (“Action!” is not a command most dogs understand, and explaining their motivation proved a challenge), we finally settled on a handsome brute named Travis. He had already appeared in several commercials and television shows in the United Kingdom, so he knew the drill. He showed no interest at all in gobbling up our Hope Diamond replica, and once the cameras were rolling he hit his marks like a pro. We never told him about the mythic curse (didn’t want to make him nervous), but by all accounts he remains a very happy and healthy canine thespian. You can watch his performance in the full program at www.smithsonianchannel.com/hope or in this behind-the-scenes clip.